SCARBOROUGH, ON – Mazda Canada Inc. announced an owner satisfaction program to address an issue concerning its 2001 Mazda Miata horsepower rating. The vehicles went on sale in September of last year and approximately 175 have been sold to date.
The program arose because Mazda found that it had mis-stated the horsepower rating of the 2001 Miata. A supplemental retesting program of North American-specification 2001 Miata models revealed that the horsepower was 8 percent less than Mazda claimed.
Elements of the owner program include an offer to provide the owner with either free factory-scheduled maintenance for the length of the Miata's 3-year basic warranty and $500 to spend as they choose or the option of having Mazda repurchase their Miata for its full purchase price, including taxes.
In a letter to 2001 Miata owners, Mazda Canada Inc. president Mike Benchimol wrote, "Simply put, we made a mistake, and we apologize. There is no more enthusiastic group of sports car owners than Miata owners. We've designed this response to ensure that they continue to experience the thrill of owning and driving a Miata."
The 2001 Mazda Miata has received numerous accolades from the automotive media, including being named as one of Car and Driver's "10 Best," earning a spot of Automobile magazine's "All-Stars" lists for an unprecedented 11th year and recognition as one of Sport Compact Car's "Eight Great Rides." Since its introduction in 1989, Mazda has sold more than 560,000 Miatas worldwide.